how many votes are needed to confirm attorney general

by Dylan Sawayn 9 min read

Does the Senate have the power to confirm presidential nominations?

Historically, the Senate has confirmed most presidential nominations, but “in rare instances” a vote to confirm a major appointment has failed on the Senate floor. Opposition from one or more senators may prevent a floor vote because the Senate cannot schedule the vote absent unanimous consent.

How many Supreme Court nominees have been confirmed by the Senate?

Since 1930, the Senate has confirmed 59 and rejected four (one nominated by Herbert Hoover, two by Richard Nixon, and one by Ronald Reagan). Four nominees withdrew (out of seven in history).

Does the vice president need to be confirmed?

All of these positions require Senate confirmation. The vice president and White House chief of staff, which do not require Senate confirmation, are also part of the Cabinet. How does the confirmation process work?

How many cabinet members have been confirmed so far?

Twenty-two Cabinet members have been confirmed. One nominee was withdrawn from consideration. One nominee was announced. May 28, 2021: The Senate confirmed Lander as director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy by a voice vote.

What is the confirmation process?

What happens after a Senate hearing is closed?

When will Garland be confirmed?

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Does the US attorney general have to be confirmed?

The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States. Washington, D.C. Under the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution, the officeholder is nominated by the president of the United States, then appointed with the advice and consent of the United States Senate.

Who confirms presidential nominations?

The United States Constitution provides that the president "shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided ...

How long is the confirmation process?

Typically, the whole process takes several months, but it can be, and on occasion has been, completed more quickly. Since the mid 1950s, the average time from nomination to final Senate vote has been about 55 days. Presidents generally select a nominee a few weeks after a vacancy occurs or a retirement is announced.

How do Senate confirmations work?

Somewhere between 1,200 and 1,400 government positions require confirmation. While many confirmation hearings take place just before and after a president takes office, the Senate must hold confirmation hearings for replacement appointments throughout a president's term.

Can a president appoint a Supreme Court justice without Senate approval?

The Constitution requires the president to submit nominations to the Senate for its advice and consent. Since the Supreme Court was established in 1789, presidents have submitted 165 nominations for the Court, including those for chief justice. Of this total, 128 were confirmed (7 declined to serve).

Who can overturn an executive order?

Congress may try to overturn an executive order by passing a bill that blocks it. But the president can veto that bill. Congress would then need to override that veto to pass the bill. Also, the Supreme Court can declare an executive order unconstitutional.

Can a Supreme Court justice be removed by the President?

The Constitution states that Justices "shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour." This means that the Justices hold office as long as they choose and can only be removed from office by impeachment.

What is the process for confirming a Supreme Court justice quizlet?

Matchfirst step. president nominates someone.second step. background investigations.third step. senate judiciary committee holds hearings.fourth step. committee votes to recommend the nominees to entire senate.fifth step. entire senate debates the nomination.sixth step. senate votes to confirm nominee.seventh step.

Who has the power to reject the presidential appointments?

The Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war, the right to confirm or reject many Presidential appointments, and substantial investigative powers.

What is a Senate confirmation hearing?

Each Senate committee holds confirmation hearings on presidential nominations to executive and judicial positions within its jurisdiction. These hearings often offer an opportunity for oversight into the activities of the nominee's department or agency.

Who has the final authority over all military matters?

495, 503. The Constitution provides: “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States . . . .” U.S. Const.

When was the last time a Supreme Court nominee rejected?

On the seventh of May, 1930, the Senate rejected a Supreme Court nominee. What makes this action worth noting today is that it was the Senate's only rejection of a Supreme Court candidate in the 74-year span between 1894 and 1968.

How is the presidential nominee decided?

To become the presidential nominee, a candidate typically has to win a majority of delegates. This usually happens through the party's state primaries and caucuses. State delegates go to the national convention to vote to confirm their choice of candidates.

Who must confirm the president's Cabinet nominations quizlet?

All Cabinet members in the United States must go through Senate confirmation and be approved by the Senate before they can be officially appointed to their position. More than 98 percent of Cabinet nominations are approved by the Senate.

Who approves presidential appointments quizlet?

Presidential appointments to high-level positions must be consented to by the Senate by majority vote. The presidential power to make treaties is subject to the "advice and consent" of two-thirds of the Senate.

How does a party nominate a presidential candidate?

Today, in 48 states, individuals participate in primaries or caucuses to elect delegates who support their presidential candidate of choice. At national party conventions, the presidential contender with the most state delegate votes wins the party nomination.

Roll call vote: Confirmation of the Garland nomination (Attorney ...

March 10, 2021 02:59 PM Roll call vote: Confirmation of the Garland nomination (Attorney General) 2:15pm the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on of Executive Calendar #27, Merrick Brian Garland, of Maryland, to be Attorney General.. Confirmed: 70-30.

Contact Merrick Garland | Email, Address & Office Phone Number

Contact Attorney General Merrick Garland (D) by his email address, mailing address, DC office phone number, and Facebook, Twitter, YouTube & Instagram pages:

Merrick Garland finally got his Senate vote. Now comes the hard part - CNN

Merrick Garland faces multiple crises to address and politically tough decisions to make as he belatedly takes the reins at the Justice Department as attorney general.

Garland nomination advances out of committee - CNNPolitics

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Monday to advance President Joe Biden's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland for attorney general, setting up his confirmation before the full Senate.

How many Supreme Court nominees have been withdrawn?

Four nominees withdrew (out of seven in history). Since 1845, the Senate has taken no action on only five Supreme Court nominees, the latest being Merrick Garland in 2016. Obama, a liberal Democrat, selected Garland to fill a vacancy created by the February 2016 death of Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative.

Who presents a signed commission to the successful nominee?

Third, the president presents a signed commission to the successful nominee and he or she is sworn in, assuming authority to carry out the duties of the office.

Why did the Senate pass a resolution in 2011?

In 2011, to ease the logjam of President Obama’s appointees awaiting confirmation, the Senate adopted a resolution allowing nominations for specific positions to bypass a committee and go to the full Senate for a vote. The committee still collects background, however. And if a single senator objects to the expedited process, the nomination goes to committee as usual.

How many nominees have been rejected by the Senate?

3 nominees. In the past 100 years, the Senate has rejected three nominations on a recorded vote. Americans tend to think of their president as the most powerful person in the world, but the Constitution limits the power of all three branches of government—the president as well as the Congress and the federal courts.

Why can't a senator schedule a floor vote?

Opposition from one or more senators may prevent a floor vote because the Senate cannot schedule the vote absent unanimous consent.

Why do potential presidential candidates get priority?

Because all this takes time, potential nominees for the highest positions usually get priority. In 2004, Congress amended the law governing presidential transitions to encourage a president-elect to put forward candidates for the national security team shortly after the election.

What forms do cabinet candidates fill out?

A candidate for a Cabinet or other top position fills out various forms, such as a financial disclosure report and a national security questionnaire. The Office of Government Ethics is available to guide a candidate through the paperwork.

What happens after the Senate votes on a nomination?

Following a vote of cloture, the Senate conducts a simple majority vote on whether to confirm, reject, or take no action on the nomination.

What is the confirmation process?

The confirmation process includes several rounds of investigation and review, beginning with the submission of a personal financial disclosure report and a background check. The nominee is then evaluated in a committee hearing, which allows for a close examination of the nominee and his or her views on public policy.

Can supporters testify before a Senate vote?

Supporters and opponents of the nominee may also testify. Once committee hearings are closed, most committees have a set amount of time before a vote is taken on whether the nominee is reported to the Senate favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation.

Who voted against Barr?

Democrats Joe Manchin, Doug Jones and Kyrsten Sinema voted to confirm Barr and one Republican, Rand Paul, voted against Barr.

Did Richard Burr vote for Barr?

A previous version of this graphic incorrectly stated Senator Richard Burr (R- N.C.) voted to confirm William Barr. He did not vote.

What is the requirement for a committee to vote on reporting a nominee to the full Senate for a confirmation vote?

For a committee to vote on reporting the nominee to the full Senate for a confirmation vote, a majority of members must be “physically present.”

Who can suggest candidates for the President?

Members of the House and Senate may suggest possible candidates for the president or president-elect’s consideration, but such recommendations generally have no official weight.

How do appointees get attention?

Other appointees receive more attention from Congress and the media through hearings, investigations, and floor debate. Historically, the Senate has shown particular interest in the nominee’s views and how they are likely to affect public policy.

What is the decision by a committee to report a nomination?

The decision by a committee to report a nomination is critical: To be considered on the Senate floor, the nomination must have been reported from the committee of jurisdiction or all senators must agree to its consideration.

What is the executive clerk of the Senate?

The Senate’s executive clerk refers the president or president-elect’s formal choice to the appropriate committee (sometimes committees) overseeing the executive branch department in question, such as State or Defense.

What does the FBI do with candidates?

The FBI and the Internal Revenue Service also review a potential or formal candidate’s personal, political, and financial backgrounds.

Why can't a senator vote on a nomination?

Opposition from one or more senators may prevent a floor vote on a nomination that has come out of committee, because the rules require “unanimous consent” to consider and confirm a nomination.

Which article of the Constitution gives Congress the power to impeach the President?

Article II of the Constitution grants Congress the power to impeach “the president, the vice president and all civil officers of the United States.” The phrase “civil officers” includes the members of the cabinet (one of whom, Secretary of War William Belknap, was impeached in 1876).

Who was the Attorney General of Nixon?

Nixon Attorney General John Mitchell was a central figure in the Watergate scandal and was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice in 1975. He was out of office by then so there was no need for impeachment.

Why isn't the impeachment done?

The reason it is not really done is that Cabinet positions are executive branch posts and thus they do serve at the pleasure of the President. He can fire or ask them to resign. The one impeachment dealt with a political issue where President Grant did not want to fire his Secretary of War, William Belknap, who was

Can a federal judge be impeached?

I have to repeat a prior answer from a source that Article II of the Constitution grants Congress the power to impeach “the president, the vice president and all civil officers of the United States.” And it has been done once. Federal Judges can also be impeached and it has happened.

Can Congress impeach article 2?

Yes. Congress can impeach article 2 (who were confirmed by congress) and article 3 judges. Honestly they should be impeaching more than they do

Can Barr be impeached?

Yes, under the Constitution, they can. The current House can and would impeach Barr in a New York second. However, they know that the Republican Senate would not remove him.

Can the Attorney General be impeached?

So, to answer your question: Yes, the attorney general, and any other appointment official, can be impeached by congress.

What is the confirmation process?

The confirmation process includes several rounds of investigation and review, beginning with the submission of a personal financial disclosure report and a background check. The nominee is then evaluated in a committee hearing, which allows for a close examination of the nominee and his or her views on public policy.

What happens after a Senate hearing is closed?

Once committee hearings are closed, most committees have a set amount of time before a vote is taken on whether the nominee is reported to the Senate favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation. The nomination will then go to the Senate floor for consideration. Once the nomination is considered by the Senate, unlimited debate is allowed until a majority of the Senate votes to invoke cloture and close debate. Following a vote of cloture, the Senate conducts a simple majority vote on whether to confirm, reject, or take no action on the nomination.

When will Garland be confirmed?

The Senate Judiciary Committee held Garland's confirmation hearing for February 22-23, 2021. The Senate confirmed him on March 10 , 2021, by a vote of 70-30.

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